The central argument of this thesis is that football in Scotland has acquired characteristics which make it a nationalistic, political and cultural repository. This has its origins in the post-Reformation period in Scotland, Irish immigration into Scotland and Scotland/Britain's historically contentious relationship with Ireland. Part one examines the present situation as regards religious identity in Scotland. It reflects on the development and pervasiveness of Protestantism within society, emphasising its anti-Catholic dimension. Irish immigration to Scotland in the 19th and 20th century is briefly reflected upon within the context of a growing ethno-religious cleavage. The second part of the thesis concentrates upon football. It particularly addresses the 'Old Firm' of Glasgow Rangers and Celtic though substantial reference is made to other clubs and to the Scottish international arena. Here, much of the analysis is based upon an original survey of the political and social attitudes of a sample of the supporters of the nine largest clubs in Scotland. The penultimate section focuses specifically upon anti-Catholicism in Scotland and the present character of Irish identity, particularly in the west of Scotland. The nature of the cleavage between both cultures is explored. Various Protestant and Catholic social and political groupings were also surveyed and the results are reported in this section. The context within which anti-Catholicism in Scotland has developed is established together with the main tenets of the contemporary Irish Catholic identity in part four. The conclusion establishes that previous studies have utilised a flawed approach to analysing religious identity in modem Scotland. Despite being a secular country, religious identity is a dominant cultural idiom in Scotland and its academic neglect has resulted in its miscomprehension of the nature of Scottish society and politics. In sum the thesis suggest five major conclusions: 1) Although the term sectarianism has major limitations it also has relevance for religious identity in Scotland. 2) Football is a crucial element of ethno-religious identity in Scotland, and national, cultural, social and political expressions become more explicit in the Scottish football arena. 3) Anti-Catholic culture runs deep in Scotland. This thesis -has located it in its historical context, explained its wider ideological underpinnings and reflected its complexity and variability in modern society. 4) The term 'sectarianism' has the function of shrouding the character of the Irish immigrant experience and identity. It has also served a long term ideological purpose in its debasement of the Irish identity in Scotland. 5) Identity is a much more useful concept than sectarianism for our understanding of religious cleavage and cultures in Scottish society.

A dissertation presented in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, 2001. / Hendler et al. (1995) describes low back pain as the most common, costly and disabling musculosketetal condition. Giles (1997: 28) supports this, stating that the annual incidence of low back pain in the adult population is between two and five percent, with a lifetime prevalence of well over 50%. For clinicians to choose the most appropriate therapy for managing this common condition it is essential for research to be carried out to define the most effective treatment. Shekelle (1994) explains that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for patients with low back pain, while Cherkin et al. (1995) states that there is strong evidence to support the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in the management of mechanical low back pain. It is therefore the purpose of this investigation to determine the relative effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy compared to Diclofenac Sodium, in terms of subjective and objective measures, in the management of mechanical low back pain. This randomized controlled trial consisted of sixty patients between the ages of 18 and 65, complaining of mechanical low back pain. The sixty patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups of thirty each. One group received spinal manipulative therapy and the remaining thirty were administered Diclofenac Sodium. These patients were carefully screened to allow the researcher to diagnose the patient, with Lumbar Facet Syndrome, Sacroiliac Syndrome or Myofascial Pain Syndrome; or any combination of these syndromes. This is in accordance with Kirkaldy-Willis (1992: 105 - 119) classification system. The thorough examination ensured that each patient had no contra-indications to spinal manipulative therapy or Diclofenac Sodium. / M

A total of 22 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and derivatives were added to microsomes to study the denaturation of cytochrome P-450 to cytochrome P-420 in the absence of an NADPH-generating system. There was a highly significant correlation among the different compounds between the extent of denaturation of cytochrome P-450 and their surfactant potency. Endotoxin administration to rats caused a maximum decrease in hepatic microsomal enzymes after 24 hours. Significant decreases in cytochrome P-450 (40%), cytochrome b5 levels (22%), aminopyrine N-demethylase (31%) and biphenyl 4-hydroxylase (54%) activities were obtained. Concomitant intravenous injection of 16,16-DMPG F2 and 16,16-DMPG E2 prevented some of the endotoxin-induced changes in hepatic microsomal enzymes. Three days treatment with cocaine was required to obtain hepatic damage in mice. Decreases in cytochrome P-450 content (41%), aminopyrine N-demethylase (31%) and FAD-monooxygenase (35%) activities were obtained, when compared to saline treated mice. The serum enzyme activities were markedly increased (SGOT 13-fold and SOCT 44-fold). Histological changes in form of centrilobular necrosis and fatty changes were present. Repeated subcutaneous administration of iloprost or synthetic prostaglandins just before cocaine prevented some of the hepatic lesions. Iloprost was found to be a better hepatoprotective agent than synthetic prostaglandins against the cocaine mediated liver toxicity. Carbon tetrachloride administration to mice produced similar lesions to those obtained with cocaine. Administration of iloprost prevented some of the lesions caused by carbon tetrachloride, giving a partial protection to the carbon tetrachloride-induced decrease in cytochrome P-450 and the increase in SGOT. Iloprost also partially prevented the carbon tetrachloride mediated centrilobular necrosis.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine in Pharmaceutical Affairs Johannesburg, May 2012 / ABSTRACT Introduction Nosocomial infections which occur after 72 hours in hospitalised neonates cause morbidity and mortality particularly in very low birth weight neonates admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Prolonged hospitalisation and use of sophisticated, expensive antibiotics lead to spiraling costs. Prevention of nosocomial infections are of the essence to contain expenditure and prevent life-threatening complications in vulnerable neonates. A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken to determine the cost of antibiotics used in the neonatal unit at Kalafong Hospital for nosocomial infections. Patients and Methods Neonates with nosocomial infections admitted consecutively to the neonatal unit were studied prospectively by documenting the birth weight, site of infection, pathogen, outcome, admission to the NICU and antibiotics administered. The cost related to antibiotic use was determined for each antibiotic, for individual neonates (expressed as the mean and standard deviation) and for the group as a whole. Results Over a period of seven months (1/1/2011 - 31/7/2011) 682 neonates with a mean birth weight of 2375g, ±868g were admitted to the neonatal unit for ~72 hours of whom 53/682 (7.8%) developed a nosocomial infection and of the 53 who developed a nosocomial infection, eight demised (15.1 %). Of the remaining 629 neonates who did not develop a nosocomial infection, 15/629 (2.4%) demised (p=0.7). Nosocomial infection occurred in 21/36 (58%) neonates <1 OOOg vs 22/646 (3.4%) ~1 OOOg (p<0.01 ).Of 199/682 neonates admitted to the NICU, 42/199 (21.1 %) developed a nosocomial infection vs 11/483 (2 .3%) not admitted to the NICU (p=<0.01 ). Of 22 pathogens cultured from blood, coagulase negative Staphylococcus aureus was the most common (7/22). The total cost of second line antimicrobials (meropenem, vancomycin and fluconazole) for the study period of seven months was R27 032.00 of which an amount of R1 0 321.00 was spent on neonates weighing <1000g. The mean cost per neonate was R563.77±283 for meropenem (n=51), R70.23±32 for vancomycin (n=5) and R78.66±53 for fluconazole (n=6) of which drug wastage comprised at least 50% in each instance. Conclusions Extremely low birth weight ( <1 OOOg) and admission to the NICU place neonates at risk of nosocomial infection at Kalafong Hospital. Meropenem was the most commonly used second line) antibiotic followed by vancomycin and fluconazole. Pharmaceutical curtailment of expenditure generated by nosocomial infections should be addressed by the manufacture of vials with a lower concentration of drug for neonates to minimise wastage.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology. / Department of Electromechanical Engineering

Thesis (M. Diploma in Technology (Chemistry))--Cape Technikon, 1994 / Some naturally occurring compounds containing the naphtho [2,3 - c] pyran ring system have been found to be useful antibiotic agents and thus the laboratory synthesis ofthese compounds and their derivatives are of importance in the medical field. Their antibiotic and even antineoplastic activities are attributed to their potential to act as alkylating agents, via a bioreductive process. This thesis deals with studies directed towards the synthesis of some benzo [c] pyrans as these compounds also possess the correct structural configuration to undergo the bioreductive process, and act as alkylating agents to cellular nucleic acids. Chapter Two describes the synthesis 00,4 dihydro - 1,3 - dimethyl- IH - benzo - [cl pyran - 5,8 - quinone (13) by employing a base induced cyclization with potassium tertiary butoxide. This compound was proven to be biologically active against both Gram positive and Gram negative organisms. (±) (1R, 3R, 4R) - 3,4 - Dihydro - 4 - hyroxy -1,3 - dimethyl- 1H - benzo [e] pyran - 5,8quinone (17) and its 4 S diastereomer (18) were synthesized with cerium (IV) ammonium nitrate as the cyclizing reagent. Antimicrobial evaluation ofcompound (17) displayed inhibitory activity against both Gram positive and Gram negative organism growth. This is discussed in Chapter Three. In Chapter Four, the synthesis ofthe benzo analogue ofthe naturally occurring naphthopyran antibiotic, hongconin, is discussed. The synthetic route used for this synthesis could well be applied to synthesise hongconin.

Kam Tat-ting. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong. / Bibliography: leaves 111-113.

Anita K.L. Yiu. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-112). / Acknowledgement --- p.i / List of Abbreviations --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.vi / Chapter CHAPTER 1. --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Physiology and Pathophysiology of Angiotensin --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Angiotensin Receptors / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Heterogeneity among Angiotensin Receptors --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Differential Distribution of Subtypes --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Molecular Structure of Subtypes --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Signal Transduction Mechanism --- p.20 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Physiological Functional Correlates --- p.21 / Chapter 1.4 --- Aim of Study --- p.23 / Chapter CHAPTER 2. --- Preparation of Polyclonal Antibodies Against Angiotensin Receptors / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of antisera / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Preparation of peptide conjugates --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Protein determination --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.1.3 --- Immunization of rabbits with peptide conjugates --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.1.4 --- Collection of rabbit sera --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.1.5 --- Affinity purification of antisera --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Titer determination --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Specificity determination --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Preparation of antisera --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Affinity purification of antisera --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- ELISA / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Titer determination --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.3.1.1 --- Thy-AT1 antiserum --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.3.1.2 --- Thy-AT2 antiserum --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Specificity determination --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.3.2.1 --- Thy-AT1 antibodies --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.3.2.2 --- Thy-AT2 antibodies --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussions --- p.49 / Chapter CHAPTER 3. --- Application of Thy-AT1 Antiserumin Western Blot / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methods / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Preparation of protein samples --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Protein determination --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- SDS-PAGE --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Western blot --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Immunoblotting --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.55 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussions --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER 4. --- Evaluation of Pancreatic Response to Angiotensin II / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methods / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Perfusion of pancreas --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Assay of amylase activity --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.3. --- Calculations --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.65 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussions --- p.65 / Chapter CHAPTER 5. --- Application of Purified Thy-AT2 Antibodies in immunohistochemical studies / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.74 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methods / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Preparation of adrenal sections --- p.75 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Light-microscopic immunohistochemical study --- p.76 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussions / Chapter CHAPTER 6. --- General Discussions --- p.84 / References --- p.93 / Appendix / Chapter A. --- Materials --- p.113 / Chapter B. --- Buffer Compositions --- p.121

Orientador: Juliana Campos Junqueira / Banca: Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge / Banca: José Chibebe Junior / Resumo: Enterococcus faecium se tornou um dos mais temidos micro-organismos em infecções hospitalares, por apresentar maior facilidade em adquirir resistência aos antibióticos do que E. faecalis. Entretanto, faltam estudos voltados para o isolamento e identificação de E. faecium na cavidade bucal. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram isolar e identificar E. faecalis e E. faecium em canais radiculares com infecções endodônticas e comparar as cepas de E. faecalis e E. faecium em relação à sensibilidade aos antibióticos convencionais e à terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana (PDT). Além disso, essas espécies foram comparadas quanto à virulência in vivo, utilizando o modelo de infecção experimental de Galleria mellonella. As cepas de E. faecalis e E. faecium isoladas de canais radiculares foram identificadas pelo sistema Rapid ID 32 Strep e PCR multiplex. Todos os isolados identificados como E. faecalis e E. faecium, foram testadas quanto à sensibilidade aos antibióticos pelo método E-test para determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (MIC). A seguir, foram selecionadas algumas cepas de E. faecalis e E. faecium sensíveis e resistentes aos antibióticos de uso clínico na odontologia para testes de sensibilidade in vitro à terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana. A virulência das cepas de E. faecalis e E. faecium foram testadas in vivo no modelo de infecção experimental de G. mellonella por meio da análise da curva de sobrevivência das larvas e quantificação de UFC/mL de células bacterianas presentes na hemolinfa desses animais. Os dados de UFC/mL obtidos na terapia fotodinâmica e na infecção em G. mellonella foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de Tukey. Os dados obtidos na curva de sobrevivência de G. mellonella foram analisados pelo método de Log-rank. Foram realizadas coletas de 38 canais radiculares de diferentes pacientes, sendo que 22 apresentaram culturas positivas para enterococcus spp.(58%).... / Abstract: Enterococcus faecium has become one of the most dreaded micro-organisms in nosocomial infections, due to its greater ease in acquiring resistance to antibiotics than E. faecalis. However, lack of studies focused on the isolation and identification of E. faecium in the oral cavity. The objectives of this study was to isolate and identify E. faecalis and E. faecium in root canals with endodontic infections and to compare strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium in sensitivity to conventional antibiotics and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT). Furthermore, these species were compared for virulence in vivo, using the model of experimental infection of Galleria mellonella. The strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium isolated from root canals were identified by the Rapid ID 32 Strep system and multiplex PCR. All isolates identified as E. faecalis and E. faecium were tested for antibiotic susceptibility E-test method for determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Next, we selected some strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium sensitive and antibiotic-resistant clinical use in dentistry for in vitro susceptibility testing to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. The virulence of strains of E. faecalis and E. faecium were tested in in vivo experimental model of infection of G. mellonella by analysis of larval survival curve and quantitation of CFU/mL bacterial cells present in the hemolymph of these animals. Data from CFU/mL obtained in photodynamic therapy and infection in G. mellonella were subjected to analysis of variance and Tukey test. The data on the survival of G. mellonella curves were analyzed by log-rank method. Samples of 38 root canals from different patients were performed and 22 had cultures positive for Enterococcus spp. (58%). Of these patients, all showed E. faecalis and only 2 had mixed infections with E. faecalis and E. faecium 6 isolates (27%) E. faecalis resistant to .... / Mestre

Orientador: Juliana Campos Junqueira / Banca: Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge / Banca: Fernanda Malagutti Tomé / Banca: Renato Araújo Prates / Banca: Raduan Hage / Resumo: Devido ao rápido aumento dos micro-organismos resistentes aos antibióticos e ao desenvolvimento limitado de novos agentes antimicrobianos, as infecções por bactérias Gram-negativas estão se tornando um desafio para os profissionais da saúde e uma ameaça para a saúde pública internacional. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o efeito sinérgico dos antibióticos convencionais associados a terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana (PDT) no controle de Acinetobacter baumannii. Para realização desse trabalho, foram obtidos isolados clínicos de A. baumannii do Laboratório de Análises Clínicas Valeclin da cidade de São José dos Campos/SP, identificados pelo método de bioquimismo e submetidos ao teste de difusão em disco para verificar a sensibilidade antimicrobiana. Os isolados selecionados foram transferidos para o ICT/UNESP, onde foi realizado testes para determinação da Concentração Inibitória Mínima aos antibióticos Imipenem e Meropenem seguindo as normas da CLSI. Cepas sensíveis e resistentes aos antibióticos foram avaliadas quanto a sensibilidade in vitro à terapia fotodinâmica antimicrobiana. Além disso, foram testados os efeitos dos antibióticos convencionais, da PDT e da terapia combinada de antibióticos e PDT nas infecções experimentais induzidas em G. mellonella por isolados clínicos de A. baumannii resistentes aos antibióticos. Os resultados das terapias na infecção experimental foram avaliados por meio da curva de sobrevivência das lagartas de G. mellonella. Os dados dos testes in vitro foram submetidos à Análise de Variância e teste de Tukey. Os dados obtidos na curva de sobrevivência de G. mellonella foram analisados pelo método de Log-rank. Em todos os testes, foi considerado nível de significância de 5%. Nos resultados desse estudo, observou-se que o Laboratório Valeclin identificou 1,54% de amostras positivas para A. baumannii entre as 13.715 amostras clínicas analisadas em um período de... / Abstract: Due to the rapid growth of microorganisms resistant to antibiotics and the limited development of new antimicrobial agents, infections by Gramnegative bacteria are becoming a challenge for health professionals and a threat to international public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of conventional antibiotics associated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) in control of Acinetobacter baumannii. In order to conduct this project were obtained clinical isolates of A. baumannii at the Clinical Laboratory Valeclin situated in the city of São José dos Campos / SP, identified by bioquimismo method and submitted to disk diffusion test to verify the antimicrobial sensitivity. The selected isolates were transferred to the ICT / UNESP, which were conducted tests to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration to Imipenem and Meropenem antibiotics following the rules of the CLSI. Sensitive and resistant strains to antibiotics were evaluated in vitro sensitivity to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. Besides, the effects of conventional antibiotics, and combined PDT, and PDT of antibiotics in experimental infections induced in G. mellonella by clinical isolates of A. baumannii resistant to antibiotic therapy were tested. The results of therapies in experimental infection were evaluated by survival curve of worms G. mellonella. Data from in vitro tests were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test. The data obtained in G. mellonella survival curve were analyzed by log-rank method. In all tests it was considered 5% significance level. The results of this study, it was observed that the Valeclin Laboratory identified 1.54% of positive samples for A. baumannii between the 13,715 clinical specimens analyzed in a period of 8 months. Among the isolates of A. baumannii, 58% were resistant to antibiotic imipenem and meropenem by disk diffusion test. Next, 3 isolates clinical sensitive and 18 isolates resistant to those ... / Doutor